Advanced 2 or 4 Players 🎰 High Risk / High Reward

How to Play Hammer

Hammer is a double-or-fold golf betting game: each hole starts with a set bet, and at any point either side can "hammer" to double the stake — the other side folds and pays, or accepts and can hammer right back. It's Texas Hold'em on a golf course. Here's how it works.

What's the deal?

Every hole starts with an agreed bet — say $5. At any moment during the hole, either team can call "hammer," which doubles the value on the line. The other team then has a choice: fold (concede the hole and pay the current amount) or accept and keep playing.

And it doesn't stop there — the team that accepted can hammer right back, doubling again. A quiet $5 hole can spiral into $20, $40, even $80 if both sides keep swinging.

The whole game is timing and nerve. Your best bluffer will abuse it, your worst gambler will go broke, and everyone will remember the hole where someone hammered after a shank and somehow won anyway.

Best for2 or 4 players
FormatMatch play
Stakes$2–$5 starting bet
Time to explain2 min

How to play Hammer

  1. 1Set a starting bet per hole. $2 or $5 is the right place to begin.
  2. 2Play the hole normally. At any point — after any shot — either team can yell "hammer."
  3. 3The other team folds (pays the current bet, hole over) or accepts the double.
  4. 4The team that accepted can hammer back at any time, doubling again.
  5. 5The hole ends when someone folds or the ball drops. Winner collects the final amount.
🏌️ First Tee Tip The hammer is most powerful right after your opponent hits a bad shot — drop it while they're rattled. But if they accept and then pull off a miracle, you're suddenly on the hook for double. Set a cap before you start — a max of 3 hammers per hole is sane — so one wild hole doesn't send somebody home broke.

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Pick a partner after every drive — or go alone.
Nassau
Three bets in one round. The classic.

Now Grab the Hat.

Wear it to the first tee, set a hammer cap, and may the best bluffer win.

Shop The 1st Tee → See All 18 Games